Happy enough

Sheffield United 0 v Aston Villa 1

The Championship

Tuesday 30 January 2018

SUFC 2017/18 Game 51

I’m basically not going to quibble. A Tuesday night. In late January. Against Aston Villa. And, we’re just outside the play offs. We held our own. Shifts were put in. Chances were created. Bars were hit. Keepers were tested. A full away end. Away fans going lally, and even a bit doo. After a last minute winner. I know not everyone wants to hear it. You know, them in the I want it all, I want it now generation. But, I went away from that, fully happy, if not beaming. I’ve said it before. I’ll happily die with us still in this wonderful league.

And. Let us deal with this “how come we’re getting beat with world class strikes nearly every time we lose”. Easy. That’s what this league is like. Hiqh quality players. Doing high quality things. Don’t need a yard. Get a foot. Get a shot off. With power & accuracy. Have strikers who can do that. Have defenders who can stop the other mob doing it. Have keepers who can stop the few shots that get through. You’ll win more than you lose. Has anyone got Wilder on Speed Dial to tell him. (That’s a joke - he knows). Those players aren’t growing on trees. We are short up top. We try to make up for that by relentless attacking. That was a great game.

Preceded by a great drink in (first time for me) The Ale Club on Ecclesall Rd. Great fit for me. Halfway to The Lane on my walk down. Small place. Won’t get mobbed. Great beer offering. This Blog’s days are numbered. How many times can I get away with putting - “Went in The Ale Club….”. They’d better go bust soon.

Cloudwater/Modern Times, Biscuit Town on keg at 7.2%.
Great beer. Doesn't taste up at North of 7%. Mainly because it's just full of hoppy loveliness. The suggestible name means I am getting digestive biscuits when I smell it. You know, with some ginger hobnobs off the rich hops. Thick & chewy bitterness. Grows and grows. Great beer.

Lost & Grounded, Patternicity on keg at 6.8% IPA with Azacca, Columbus & Mosaic
That caught me out a bit. Quite “funky” - almost a hay, grass Saison thing going on. Smells fresh - almost lemonade. The hop action has a slightly anaesthetic & numbing quality. It just doesn't come up bitter & rich like you expect from an IPA. It's bursting with flavour. It's filled my mouth & dripped over my lips. Really enjoyed it.

602/1260